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Shawnee's Taylor Cooper is staying close to home for college, choosing Oral Roberts over other offers.

BY JASON KERSEY •
Published: April 1, 2012

SHAWNEE — It's safe to say family is the most important thing in Taylor Cooper's life.

The senior forward and Oklahoman Super 5 team member won her second straight state championship this season with a second team. Last year as a junior, Cooper helped lead Bethel to the Class 3A title.

CLASS 5A GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Shawnee's Taylor Cooper (foreground left) and Micaela Yu (right) high five as they walk off the court with teammates Kelsee Grovey (center) and Bailey Taylor (background left) after their win over Carl Albert during a basketball game at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa on Friday, March 9, 2012. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Cooper averaged 13.2 points and 6.1 rebounds during her senior season and, like last year, one of her key teammates was her sister, McKenzie, who is two years younger than Taylor.

“My family is my main support system throughout all of this,” Taylor Cooper said. “They've helped me become the person and athlete I am. I don't know what I'd do without them.”

Cooper chose to play college basketball at Oral Roberts largely, she said, because of the coaches.